Creating Tomorrow’s Schools Today

“Tomorrow’s Schools” – Impressions after reading

I have heard Richard Gerver’s key note speeches more than once, and I have to admit to being a fan. He uses his entertaining delivery and sharp wit to deliver a real challenge to anyone who will listen – how do we create an education system that is fit for purpose and that will equip our children to face the challenges the future holds for them? This book does exactly that. Read it.

Gerver talks a lot about how he, along with his staff, parents and pupils moved a school from special measures to outstanding in the eyes of Ofsted. His narrative includes many questions and challenges to really make the reader think about the approach they take in their own school which I found useful.

The main focus is really about how our schools are preparing children now for their future, one which we really can’t yet fully appreciate.

Key Points

Education has to change and change quickly

Do we really realise the potential of our children

How can we better ‘sell’ school to our children?

Making mistakes, risk taking and challenge are all essential elements of quality school curriculum

Knowledge vs Skills vs Rules

The importance of creating real life contexts for learning through a thematic approach

Community involvement is essential

Creating three dimensional learning

Developing the whole child

Is it based on proper research?

Yes. Although most of the book discusses what Gerver and his school community did at Grange Primary School, there are links with some pertinent research. There is a bibliography at the end of the book.

Some Quotes from “Tomorrow’s Schools”

‘If we want to develop a successful education system that truly exposes and develops the potential of every individual and prepares them to lead the challenges of the future, we must work to change the nature of one concept; failure and the notion of risk.’

In 2008 testing for 13 year olds was scrapped as it ‘stifled schools’ ability to develop meaningful learning experiences, develop creativity and most importantly, focus on the needs of individual children.’

‘Knowledge is only powerful to you if it is important to you and your context, otherwise it becomes nothing but trivia.’

‘Our children only get one chance; each precious day will never come again, so every day must be filled with opportunity and the joy of discovery.’

‘Politicians mist remember that education policy must not be designed to ensure the production of data – education is about the development of children.’

‘If we allow pupils a voice we must also act on their opinions, otherwise children quickly realise that their involvement is no more than superficial.’

‘Can we ensure that all learning environments are designed for and by the end users; our children?’

‘We need to define our children by their personalities, their skills, their competencies and value, not by the levels they achieved in their tests.’

‘Our job as educators is to ensure that our children fell that they are responsible for their learning and that it is they who have the power to control their own lives.’

Comments On My Blog

Sues congratulations on another year full of inspiring observations and efforts. Your mushrooms are very lucky indeed. Keep on keeping on!...

A beautifully written piece and one that I can relate to. I particularly like the Mushroom field/farmer analogy. You clearly know how to motivate people to achieve success. Good on you!...

Great blog and great advice! Take some time out and make sure you have those holidays booked!!...

I really enjoyed the bit about Sir David Brailsfod....

Wow!Excellent!Did that take all summer to write?????...

Mushrooms - cover them in s*** and keep them in the dark???...

An inspiration to newbies! I totally agree with comments below and believe the leadership and culture advice applies across all disciplines....

Really interesting to non-educationalists too Sues (and love that Pat Lencioni gets a mention). I’ve got some interesting stuff on culture by Cameron and Quinn that I’ll share by email....

An interesting and reflective piece. I agree about the importance of "culture" and how long its roots are - very difficult to quantify but immensely influential on pretty much everything that happens ...

Thank you so much for posting such an informative blog. It has been helpful in updating my resume and cover letter for my Special Education job search abroad....

Hey! I loved the blog on recuritment. Hope you are well and enjoying your summer....

Thanks Carol! I think what we always have to remember to do is ask our kids for feedback. Ask them what they enjoyed, learned, preferred. And ask them what they would do differently next time to enj...

Interesting reflection, Susan. Always good to hear what you're thinking. Absolutely agree about the fact that kids are more similar than different - I see that every day too, in secondary - the challe...

Thanks Pete!...

Really enjoyed reading your blog. Very honest and insightful self reflection, always enjoyed listening to you speak. I'm sure you are making a positive impact on your new school. Look forward to rea...

As always thoroughly insightful, reflective and brutally honest. This is why I enjoyed so much working and learning with you. Glad to read that you are well! Take care Jose...

Thanks for your positive words Etienne. And don't sell yourself short, you have always been reflective in your practice! Susan...

Thank you for this Susan. Truly inspiring how you always put learning at the centre of everything you do. I wish to be half as reflective as you are. I will share this post with Katy, our new Assistan...

Thank you Christine!...

Thank you Sarah. So glad it resonated with you too....

Thanks Jus. I am so glad it resonated with you, but not surprised. We should talk about a guest blog from the parent view about how together, parents and schools can better support kids too?...

Dear Sues, This is a thought-provoking and inspiring read which I thoroughly enjoyed! The following part resonated with me: Our students get one shot in our care....We just can’t afford to ge...

Love it! Good on you for challenging yourself beyond expectation, for inspiring others, and never losing sight of why we wanted to teach in the first place....

Love it! ONE shot indeed and if not taken, we miss 100% of it. Looking forward to reading more about your journey, Susan - a written sounding board....

Love this and not just cos I'm in the picture! I do relate to Tobys comment - something about enduring the pain of hard work before the pleasure of success kicks in - or is that just me admitting maso...

Gary, I agree. I wonder perhaps, that many of the conversations around setting SMART targets are just not handled well. It is easy to present someone with a target, but where is the buy in? Commit...

Thanks Jane - I am already looking forward to the next chapter. Lots on the horizon!...

What about a future blog just focussed on compassionately ruthless in the meantime...

I am a learner... And I'm developing my ability to be compassionately ruthless! Great read....

What a learning journey and all in the space of two years. Enjoy the next chapter Susan - look forward to reading about it. Jane...